Game-board.



Nq. 659,8U9. Patented Dct. I6, |900.

- E. T. BURRUWES.

GAME BDARD.

(Application led. Hay 19, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Shets-Sh'ee l.

No. 659,809. Pa'tntedct. I5, |900.

E. T. BURROWES.

' GAME BDARD.

(Apphcatxon led May 19, 1900.) (No Modal.) 2 Sheet's--Sheat 2.

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a board embodying the invention.

iran *rains FDIVARD T. BURROWES, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

GAME-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,809, dated October 16, 1900.

' Application filed May 19, 1900. Serial No. 17,271. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD T. BURRoWEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-Boards; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in gaine-boards, and more particularly to that class of boards wherewith a movable object is employed, the same being projected across the face of the board either into suitable pockets or to suitable positions on the board.

The type of board to which the invention is applied may be stated as of the reversible type, wherein the opposite sides of the board can be used to play different games on. Such boards have usually been provided with marginal flanges extending above and below the faces of the boards, and in some cases a face of the board has been provided with a felt or other suitable covering. Boards of the character above indicated have long been in use.

While this invention is applied to the re-` versible-board type,it is of course to be understood that it may be applied to a single-face board, and in that respect is not limited.

In the drawings is shown a form of board embodying the invention, but I desire it understood that various modifications, changes, and variations in the particular construction and arrangement can be made without departing from the nature and principle of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a face View of Fig. l2* is a detail plan of a corner portion of the board. Fig. 3 is a section through one of the corners, showing the pocket-opening closed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view ot' the pocket-closer sections. Fig. 5 is a section through the center of the board. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detail Views of modied forms of cushions.

Ifig. l() is a detail View of two carena-blocks.

as wickets or pins, used in connection with certain games.

A designates the body of the board, which conveniently is made of veneer or other material, an d B the rigid frame, extending above and below the body. Preferably, but not necessarily, the frame B projects a greater distance beyond the body on one side than on the opposite side. The connection between the fram-e and body is made by grooving the former and inserting the edges of the latter in the groove and there securing it in any suitable manner. The ends of the frame are secured conveniently by a tongue-and-groove joint or in any suitable manner to secure stability or rigidity. The shape of the board is conveniently oblong, but it may be made square, if desired. In the corner of the body are formed pocket-openings C, the outer walls of which are formed by the frame, the body-receiving grooves terminating at the pocket-openings, thereby leaving a straight unbroken outer wall for the pocket-opening.

D designates the pockets, which maybe of netting, felt, or other suitable material. These pockets are secured midway the width of the body and to the frame by staples c, which form rests for a pocket-closing block D. Other securing means may be employed.

In playing certain games it is necessary to close the pockets. Again, in playing pool and other games Where pockets are used it often happens that the size of the pockets is too large for players who have become more or less expert. To provide for such changes, I provide a pocket-closer D. This is formed in sections, the inner section d being curved concentric at opposite edges to conform to the inner curved wall of the pocket and is relatively narrow, while the outer portion d' has straight outer edges which jointly form an angle corresponding to the angle of the frame. The inner edge of this portion is curved to closely tit the outer curved edge of the section d. These two sections are made in proportion to jointly tit and completely close the pocket-opening. They are of a thickness slightly less than one-half of that of the body and when in position rest on and are held by the pocket-securing staples c. When a large pocket or opening is wished, both sections are removed, and Where a smaller opening is de1 IOO sired the section d' is alone removed. These closures are practically continuations of the body when they are fitted in the openings, and owingto their construction and the means for supporting the same they can be readily placed and removed, the use of all mechanism being dispensed with.

Gaine-boards as distinguished from gametables have never heretofore been provided with suitable and satisfactory cushions, and owing to their size and comparatively light construction the various cushions used and suggested for use in connection with gametables have not been susceptible of or adapted for use with game-boards.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision ot' a game-board having cushions possessing the required degree of resiliency and which will be fully as satisfactory for a game-board as is the usual cushion for a game-table. With this end in view in the surrounding frame, which, as stated, extends above the body, I form inclined longitudinal grooves and insert in the grooves one edge of the thin narrow strips E, which may be conveniently of celluloid. These thin strips have their free edges extended over the body and owing to their oblique or inclined position are free to give or yield. In practice it has been found preferable to present the free edges upward, as shown, but they may be presented downward, if desired. These strips extend entirely around the board and at the pocket-openings serve by their inclination and resiliency to deflect the balls or disks down into the pockets. To prevent the celluloid from cracking at the sharp angle where it passes from the confining-groove, I form a shallow groove e, through the lower wall of which the securing-groove enters. The upper wall of the groove e is curved and forms a curved abutment against which the material bends when struck.

In Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 I have shown modiiied forms of cushion-strips. In Fig. 6 the strip is shown curved, in Fig. 7 angular, in Fig. 8 reinforced by narrower strips e', and in Fig. 9 a straight strip in the straight side of the frame. 1

By securing the strips E in the sides of the frame the latter acts as a protector for the edges of the strips which are below the edge of the frame. Again, with the strips E secured above the body the board can be used with disks as well as balls, the disks striking lthe frame below the cushion. This is desirable in playing certain games.

One face of the body is conveniently polished, while the opposite face, which has the extended frame projections, is covered with cloth or felt A'. The edges of the material are inserted in grooves a. to prevent detachment and the cloth or felt is glued or cemented in place. Game-boards of this character are usually placed on tables, and it has therefore been impracticable to employ deep pockets. To avoid this, I provide short supports I-I, having suitable cushions h on both of their ends. These supports are detached and can be placed in proper position to support the board with but little trouble.

In Fig. l2 is shown a series of openings K for the insertion of padded pins when the game of crokinole is to be played. At L are shown openings for wickets and stakes when the game of croquet is to be played.

In playing certain games either with balls or disks I employ what may be termed carom'- blocks M. These blocks are detached and are formed with a straight side m and curved sides m', against which the object is directed.

In spacing the board the base or starting line extends across the ends and a short line o' extends from the base-line to the frame at the center, so that two or four players may participate.

A great variety of games can be played on the board.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a game-board, the combination with the body and frame extending above the same, of a cushion comprising a thin flexible strip arranged at an angle and having its outer edge inserted and secured in the frame ata point above the body leaving an intervening space, substantially as described.

2. In a game-board, the combination with a body, of a rigid frame projecting above the same, and a thin flexible cushion-strip projecting over the body below the plane of the upper edge of the frame and located beyond the surface of the body to leave an intervening space, substantially as described.

3. In a game-board, the combination with a body, of a rigid frame projecting above the same, and a thin iiexible cushion-strip secured in a groove in the frame and projecting over the body, substantially as described.

4. In a game-board, the combination with the body and frame having a groove therein intermediate the outer edge and the surface of the body, of a cushion consisting of a narrow thin strip inserted and secured in the groove and having an inclined portion, substantially as described.

5. In a game-board, the combination with a body having pockets, of a frame and an inclined thin iiexible strip secured to the frame at a point above the body leaving an intervening space extending around the board and projecting over the pocket-openings, substantially as described.

6. In a game-board, the combination with the body having pockets, of a frame and upwardly and inwardly inclined thin iiexible cushion-strips overhanging the pocket-openings, their lower edges being secured at points intermediate the outer edge of the frame and the surface of the body, substantially as de! scribed.

7. In a game-board, the combination with the body having a pocket-opening therein, of

IOO

IIO

a closure for the opening consisting of independent removable closing-sections fitted in the openings, substantially as described.

8. In a game-board having a body formed with a pocket-opening therein and a frame surrounding the body, of a closure for the opening consisting of a detached block corresponding in shape to that of the opening and adapted to be inserted from above and projections at the edge of the openings for supporting the block, substantially as described.

9. In a game-board, the combination With the body having' a pocket-opening therein, and a surrounding frame, of a closure for the opening formed of independent, curved, removable closing-sections fitting in the opening, substantially as described.

l0. In a gameeboard, the combination With the body having a pocket-opening therein,- and a surrounding frame, of a pocket, laterally-protruding' means for securin g the pocket to the Walls ot' the opening, and a removable closing member inserted in the opening resting on the securing means,` substantially as described.

11. In a gameeboard, the combination with the body and surrounding frame, of a flexible cushion-strip secured to the frame, and a curved abutment adjacent the secured portion of the strip and against which the strip bends, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence 0f two Witnesses.

EDWARD T. BURROWES.

Witnesses:

WARREN W. COLE, STEPHEN W. CABLE. 

